October 2008 CPRO e-Newsletter
Columbia Village Reaching New Heights!
Construction crews are working on the 7th floor of the rapidly rising Columbia Village that is being built on the Pike at S. Greenbrier St. The project, which is being developed by Fairfield Residential, will be ten stories tall, and will include 7500 sq. ft. of ground floor retail and 235 apartments. This is the first major redevelopment in the Western Gateway section of Columbia Pike. Thanks go to CPRO member Jerry Brill who shot this great photo of the construction site from his 9th floor balcony at the Carlyle Condominium next door.
Penrose Square Progress: Lease Signed with Giant, Public Meeting Held on Site Logistics Plan
A major milestone in the Penrose Square development project was reached with the recent signing of a long-term lease agreement between Carbon Thompson Development and Giant Grocery. The developer is hopeful that the project’s financing package will be finalized in November. Giant’s interim plan continues to include provision of pharmacy services at 2408 Columbia Pike, the vacant storefront next to Rappahannock Coffee; the details regarding interim grocery services through free round-trip shuttle service from the interim pharmacy to another Giant location are still being sorted out. Once the developer’s financing package and the interim service plan are approved, Giant Grocery will be given a 60-day notice to cease operations. However, a provision in the lease agreement allows Giant the option of stay open through the 2008 holiday season, regardless of the specific date the notice to vacate is issued. The overall construction period from beginning of demolition to delivery is 28 months. Site construction plans were presented at a public meeting at Walter Reed Community Center on October 7th, including plans to close the sidewalk along the southside of 9th street during the construction period. Look for regular updates in upcoming CPRO e-newsletters on the implementation status of various elements of the construction that affect pedestrians, commuters, nearby residents and businesses. To view renderings of the new Penrose Square mixed-use complex, use the following link:
Art, Music, and Festival Fun on the Pike!
Come to the 5th Annual Functional and Fine Art Show and Sale on Saturday, October 18 from Noon – 8:00 pm at the Barcroft Community House (800 S. Buchanan Street, Arlington 22204), featuring unique art of 8 local artists, including small items like rings and hand printed postcards, functional objects like hand thrown mugs and hand bound books, purely aesthetic pieces like fine art photos, paintings and prints, and sculptures. Meet the artists and listen to live music by local guitarist Matt Lupton. Enjoy complimentary beverages, cookies and breads during the day and more drinks and hors ‘d’oeuvres, and a lighted exhibit of sculptures in the garden in the evening. For more information, go to www.lightinoctober.com. The 10th Annual Randolph Fall Festival also falls on October 18th this year from 10:00-2:00 pm at Randolph Elementary School (1306 S. Quincy St., Arlington 22204). There will be games, crafts, face painting and other fun activities for the kids, plenty of delicious international food for all to enjoy, and a gigantic community “yard” sale. Wakefield High School music students are offering a special concert on November 6 at 7:30 pm presented by Wakefield’s marching band, featuring music by the Temptations and a preview of the Wakefield Players upcoming production of “High School Musical”. For more information, contact Cheryl Moore cwmkmoore@msn.com or 703-237-9481. Finally, the Columbia Pike Community Chorus is welcoming new and returning singers to “Come and Sing Messiah!” Rehearsals for the December 14th concert just started this month and it’s not too late to take part! Rehearsals are held on Mondays from 7-9 pm at Trinity Church, 2217 Columbia Pike. Free parking available in the BM Smith garage - entry on Wayne St. Contact musicmin@tecarl.org or 703/920-7077 for more information.
The Halstead Nears Completion
Final touches are being made to the exterior of The Halstead Arlington (corner of S. Walter Reed Dr. and the Pike), and a residential leasing office is expected to open within a month. Preliminary pricing shows apartments starting at $1715 per month and ranging to about $3500. For more information go to www.halsteadarlington.com or call Bozzuto Management at 1-866-464-2578.
New Tenant Coming to Video Warehouse Space
A Sherwin Williams Paint Store has signed a letter of intent to lease the 5,000 sq. ft. former Video Warehouse building at 3411 5th St. S., at the intersection with S. Glebe Rd. The new store should be open in plenty of time for your home spruce-up projects next spring.
Tanglewood Property Available for Redevelopment
The owners of the 44 Tanglewood condominium units have joined together to sell their property at 4241 Columbia Pike. The existing mid-rise building was constructed in 1966. The one acre site is within the Village Center revitalization district (that includes the intersection of S. George Mason Dr. and the Pike), and the Form Based Code would allow a new building up to five stories tall. Interested parties should contact listing agent Dan Lockard of Fraser Forbes at (703) 790-9400.
County Board Authorizes Housing Study to Focus on Affordable Housing as Well as Revitalization and Redevelopment
On September 16 the Arlington County Board approved a resolution authorizing the County Manager to commence the Columbia Pike Land Use & Housing Study, an initiative that has long been planned as an adjunct to the Pike’s Revitalization Initiative. This effort will study the residential areas along the Pike which were not included in earlier revitalization planning that was focused almost exclusively on existing commercial properties. The adjacent residential areas include a number of older apartment complexes that are likely to see increased demand for redevelopment, and about which there is concern about potential loss of affordable housing. A "Plenary Group" of stakeholders and a smaller subset referred to as the "Working Group" will be established to identify issues, discuss opportunities, and review and comment on findings, policies, and recommendations prepared by County staff and/or its consultant. The County Board’s resolution asks for the creation of a plan that includes a new vision for these areas that complements the community’s housing goals and results in creation of improved housing stock and broader housing options. It is expected that the planning phase of the study will take 18 months and the implementation phase an additional 12 months.
County/U.S Land Swap Approved in Foxcroft Heights
On September 16 the Arlington County Board approved a land swap with the United States Government at the eastern gateway of Columbia Pike. The agreement will allow the U.S. to expand Arlington National Cemetery and provide land for the County to use for an Arlington Heritage Center and Black History Museum (www.arlingtonblackheritage.org) on land that used to be home to Freedman’s Village, a community of former slaves. The exchange of land will occur after 2011. For a map showing details of the land exchange, go to:
2nd Annual Taste of the Pike Wows the Community!
<!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->A large and enthusiastic crowd came out on September 20 and enjoyed the 2nd annual Taste of the Pike - a multicultural celebration that truly lived up to its name! Once again the grounds of the Arlington Mill Community Center came alive with culinary specialties from a variety of the Pike’s popular Thai, Salvadoran, Ethiopian, Peruvian, Bolivian and Southern American restaurants and caterers. The festival also featured a colorful global market with arts and crafts booths, local companies offering other products and services, and a number of civic and community service groups. In addition, the crowd enjoyed live entertainment throughout the day including musical and dance performances reflecting the cultures of Mongolia, Malaysia, Spain, Panama, China, the Caribbean, Ireland, Africa, and Bolivia! CPRO was pleased to bring the event to the Pike community in partnership with the Arlington County Multicultural Advisory Commission, whose Vice Chair, Wuiping Yap, who served as performance coordinator and MC. CLICK HERE for more photos from Taste of the Pike!
Numerous Streetscape Projects Move Forward
11th Street/(Walter Reed to Garfield-Construction of a new section of 11th St. between the Halstead and BB&T Bank is expected to begin soon. Efforts to secure right-of-way from BB&T are underway, and construction will take 3 months to complete. Total project cost is $1.1 million.
Washington Blvd. Bridge and Interchange Replacement - VDOT is currently soliciting proposals from design-build firms and expects to award a contract in early 2009. Construction should begin in 2010 with completion slated for Dec. 2013.
S. Scott Street/Columbia Pike Signal and Median- To address safety issues at this intersection with two busy bus stops a concrete pedestrian refuge median, pedestrian activated traffic signal, and improved crosswalk and lighting have been installed. The project was funded by the County at a cost of $120,000.
Utility Undergrounding/Pike near S. Glebe -Installation of new phone and power lines in the underground ducts constructed along a 2,500 ft. stretch of the Pike between S. Garfield and S. Oakland Sts. Has now been completed. The new connections to businesses are nearly complete. Removal of overhead wires and many of the utility poles will begin soon. An 8-month project to improve sidewalks and add street trees and ornamental lighting should begin by the end of this year, according to County transportation staff.
Utility Undergrounding/Pike near Four Mile Run - County staff is working with VDOT on the design of this project which will include realignment of S. Four Mile Run (Minor) with S. Buchanan Street. Right of way authorizations are being obtained, and final engineering plans are now being prepared. Construction of utility undergrounding is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2009, and streetscape improvements in 2010. Approx. $7.5 million in federal secondary and state revenue-sharing funds are assigned to this project.
Global Dining on the Pike!
Last month we kicked-off our ongoing Global Dining on the Pike feature and highlighted Dama Ethiopian Restaurant and Bakery located at the far eastern side of the Pike (see www.columbiapikepartnership.com/GUIDE/271803.html). We are happy to see that we aren’t the only ones that think the Pike offers great global dining experiences. This month another of our favorite Ethiopian restaurants on the western end of the Pike (located just over the Arlington border) was featured in the Washington Post Magazine’s 2008 Fall Dining Guide Meaza Ethiopian Cuisine and Café located at 5700 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, named for owner Meaza Zemedu, offers 7,000 square feet of dining room, banquet room, food store and butcher shop, with a stage for live music on weekends and is noted for many mouth-watering dishes, and particularly for its premium house-made, teff injera bread. To read Tom Sietsema’s review, follow this link:
Free Home Maintenance Workshop This Saturday
A hands-on workshop about basic home repairs and maintenance will take place on Sat. Oct. 18 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Arlington Career Center, 816 S. Walter Reed Dr. The free sessions will be presented in the school labs by Career Center staff. The event is presented by the County’s Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development, along with the Arlington Adult Education Program. For more info call 703-228-3765 or visit the web page at:
Third “Diversity Dialogue” to be Held at Drew Model School
The third of three 2008 Diversity Dialogues will take place on Sunday, October 26, from 1:30 to 4:30 pm, at the Drew Model School, 3500 S. 23rd St., Arlington VA 22206. “My goal is to develop better personal understanding across Arlington’s richly diverse cultures through dialogue,” said County Board Chairman J. Walter Tejada, who launched this effort. The sessions are using a ‘World Cafe’ model, an innovative process for hosting conversations about questions that matter. The conversations link and build on each other as people move between groups, cross-pollinate ideas and discover new insights into the questions or issues that are most important in their life, work, or community. Attendance is free, and all are encouraged to attend. Please follow this link to RSVP: www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=QAu3pP65hs9KXk_2bdIOll7w_3d_3d
Get Your Local Apples, Pumpkins, Baked Goods and More as the Columbia Pike Farmers Market Shifts into Autumn!
The Columbia Pike Farmers Market, now in its 13th season, takes place each Sunday through November from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in Pike Park, at the corner of S. Walter Reed Dr. and Columbia Pike. Come out and treat yourself to the fresh local produce, organic meats, baked goods, milk, honey, cheese, flowers, coffee, tea, and hand-made salsas, soaps, candles, jewelry, and more. For a full list of vendors at our market click here.
Join CPRO and Support the Pike’s Revitalization
CPRO receives an annual grant from Arlington County that makes up almost one-third of our budget. For the remainder we rely on the support of our members, as well as organizations and companies who sponsor our events. Please consider becoming a CPRO member today. To access a residential/civic or business membership form, please follow the link below. Thank You! www.columbiapike.org/membership/index_E.html
Contact Us
As always, the CPRO staff welcomes your input. Email your suggestions, questions, comments, and offers of assistance to Jim Whittaker at jwhittaker@columbiapike.org; Pam Holcomb at pholcomb@columbiapike.org; or Amy McWilliams at amcwilliams@columbiapike.org or call 703-892-2776. Know someone who would like to receive the CPRO e-Newsletter? Please send us email addresses and we will add them to our distribution list. As always, for more information about what’s happening on the Pike go to www.columbiapike.org 
